Roof Panel Tie Down System

ABSTRACT

A device for retaining a roof of the dwelling may include a roof tiedown plate to be positioned on the exterior surface of the roof, a flexible cable to connect to the roof plate and an anchor member to connect to the flexible cable. The roof plate may include a eaves roof plate, and the roof plate may include a peak roof plate. The roof plate may include a second roof plate adapted to cooperate with a roof seam of the roof, and the roof plate may include a connection member. The flexible cable may be connected to a eyelet ring member, and the device may include a stud plate for attachment to a stud of the dwelling.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to building wall and roof construction, and more particularly to a roof and wall tiedown bracket for securing plywood roof and wall panels to anchors.

BACKGROUND

In wood framed building construction such as in residential homes, it is common practice to attach the roof and wall panels directly against their supporting wood rafters and wood studs, respectively, by simply nailing through the panels directly into the rafters and studs. Where no significant loading occurs from the inside of the building, but only occurs against these exterior roof and wall surfaces as by snow loading or moderate wind loading, such nailing procedures are satisfactory. However, in more severe weather conditions such as in tornados and hurricanes, unusual pressure gradients and wind loading are significantly increased in a manner which tends to lift or rip these exterior panels from their support rafters and wall studs.

This serious limitation of conventional building construction has been highlighted by the devastating effect of a very recent hurricanes, Andrew and Katrina, which virtually destroyed an entire population in South Florida and in Louisiana, in part because of this as one of many construction deficiencies.

Various modifying metal bracketry and fasteners have been developed which add to the strength and versatility of this basic wooden frame construction. One such device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,517,776 invented by Barker which is directed to a counter baton-rafter connecting bracket for retaining a layer of thermal insulation over the roof rafters.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,646, Colonnias discloses a bearing connection for distributing downward gravity bearing loads via sheet metal connectors into a wooden structural member such as a floor or joist. This invention is also intended to resist seismic, hurricane or other upward forces but does not act directly to retain the roofing and wall panels themselves, but rather only on rafters and joists.

Tomason, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,544,595, discloses a pre-fabricated roofing and siding panel which includes a fastener means and bracketry for securing these pre-fabricated panels to the roof rafters themselves. However, this invention is only useful in conjunction with the specific structure of the prefabricated panels disclosed and is not universally applicable.

A roof bracket is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,123 invented by Albert which discloses a roofing bracket connectable to a roof truss for temporarily supporting a roofer working on a sloping roof. An articulating roofing panel clip has been invented by Fulton and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,796,403 designed to secure a standing seam roofing panel to purlins or joists. This invention is likewise not universally applicable but rather is only designed to act in conjunction with uniquely configured metal roofing panels disclosed.

SUMMARY

A device for retaining a roof of the dwelling may include a roof tiedown plate to be positioned on the exterior surface of the roof, a flexible cable to connect to the roof plate and an anchor member to connect to the flexible cable.

The roof plate may include a eaves roof plate, and the roof plate may include a peak roof plate.

The roof plate may include a second roof plate adapted to cooperate with a roof seam of the roof, and the roof plate may include a connection member.

The flexible cable may be connected to a eyelet ring member, and the device may include a stud plate for attachment to a stud of the dwelling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which, like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 a illustrates a perspective view of a eave tiedown plate of the present invention;

FIG. 1 b illustrates a end view of the eave tiedown plate of the present invention;

FIG. 1 c illustrates a perspective view of the dwelling with the eave tiedown plate of the present invention;

FIG. 1 d illustrates a cross-sectional view of the dwelling with the eave tiedown plate of the present invention;

FIG. 2 a illustrates a cross section of the second roof plate of the present invention;

FIG. 2 b illustrates a perspective view of the dwelling with the second roof plate of the present invention;

FIG. 2 c illustrates a cross-sectional view of the dwelling with the second roof plate of the present invention;

FIG. 2 d illustrates a perspective view of the second roof plate of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the stud plate of the present invention;

FIG. 3 a illustrates a perspective view of the dwelling with the stud plate of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the peak tiedown plate of the present invention;

FIG. 4 a illustrates a perspective view of the dwelling and the peak tiedown plate of the present invention;

FIG. 4 b illustrates a perspective view of a fastening device of the present invention;

FIG. 4 c illustrates a cross-sectional view of the dwelling and the peak tiedown plate of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an end view of another stud plate in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 a illustrates a perspective view of the stud plate in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 b illustrates the stud plate being positioned on the upper surface of a stud;

FIG. 6 illustrates a corner wall tiedown bracket;

FIG. 6 a illustrates a perspective view of the corner wall tiedown bracket;

FIG. 6 b illustrates the corner wall tiedown bracket being used in conjunction with a dwelling.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides for a device for positively securing roof panels and wall panels to anchors which may be securely lodged in the earth which resists upward and outward air pressure from detaching the roof and in wood air pressure from collapsing a wall panel by severe weather and seismic activity, adding significant attachment strength over conventional nailing.

FIG. 1 a illustrates a perspective view of a roof plate 1 which may connect to the roof and may connect to anchors (not shown) in order to secure the roof from forces which may be generated from wind and tornadoes and may be a substantially planar plate. The roof plate 1 may include an eave tiedown plate 2 which may be formed as a planar plate and may be positioned at an angled relationship with respect to the roof plate 1. The eave tiedown plate 2 may be connected to a connection member 2 which may be an arm which may extend substantially vertically and may include an aperture 3 for connection to flexible cable 4.

FIG. 1 b illustrates an end view of a roof plate 1 which may connect to the roof and may connect to anchors (not shown) in order to secure the roof from forces which may be generated from wind and tornadoes and may be a substantially planar plate. The roof plate 1 may include an eave tiedown plate 2 which may be formed as a planar plate and may be positioned at a angled relationship with respect to the roof plate 1. The eave tiedown plate 2 may be connected to a connection member 2 which may be an arm which may extend downwards and may include an aperture 3 for connection to flexible cable 4.

FIG. 1 c illustrates a perspective view of the dwelling tie down system being applied to a dwelling 103, more particularly to a roof 12 of the dwelling 103. The roof plate 1 may include apertures 11 for connection devices (not shown) such as nails, screws, bolts or other connection devices and the connection devices may connect the roof plate 1 to the rafters of the roof 12.

FIG. 1 c illustrates the roof plate 1 which may connect to the roof and may connect to second anchor member 7 which may be secured into the ground which may surround the dwelling 103 in order to secure the roof from forces which may be generated from wind and tornadoes and may be a substantially planar plate. The roof plate 1 may include an eave tiedown plate 2 which may be formed as a planar plate and may be positioned at a angled relationship with respect to the roof plate 1. The eave tiedown plate 2 may be connected to a connection member 2 which may be an arm which may extend downwards and may include an aperture 3 for connection to flexible cable 4. An end of the flexible cable 4 may be connected to an eyelet member 5 which may be connected to a second anchor connection member 6 which may be an inverted T shape in order to be secured within the second anchor member 7.

In another embodiment, the roof plate 1 may be positioned and connected to an inclined eave along the end of the roof 12 of the dwelling 103. The connection member 2 may be positioned to be a substantially vertically positioned for connection to the flexible cable 4 which may be connected to the eye ring member 5 which may be connected to the first anchor member 8 which may be connected to the foundation 9 of the dwelling 103.

FIG. 1 d illustrates a perspective view of the dwelling tie down system being applied to a dwelling 103, more particularly to a roof 12 of the dwelling 103. The roof plate 1 may include apertures 11 for connection devices (not shown) such as nails, screws, bolts or other connection devices and the connection devices may connect the roof plate 1 to the rafters of the roof 12.

The roof plate 1 may be positioned and connected to an inclined eave along the end of the roof 12 of the dwelling 103. The connection member 2 may be positioned to be a substantially vertically positioned for connection to the flexible cable 4 which may be connected to the eye ring member 5 which may be connected to a first anchor connection member 10 which may be an inverted T shape in order to be secured within the first anchor member 8 which may be connected to the foundation 9 of the dwelling 103.

FIGS. 1 a-d illustrate add on system where the dwelling tie down system can be added after the house is completed.

However, a dwelling tie down system can be employed while the dwelling is being constructed and in this manner the dwelling tie down system is substantially invisible and within the walls of the dwelling.

FIG. 2 d illustrates a perspective view of the second roof plate 13 which may be substantially planar and connected to central located connection member 3 which may extend substantially perpendicular to the second roof plate 13 and which may include an aperture 2 for connection to the flexible cable 4.

FIG. 2 a illustrates a end view of the second roof plate 13 and the connection member 3.

FIG. 2 b illustrates a perspective view of the dwelling 103 which may include a roof 12 which may include roof seam 14. The connection member 2 extends through the roof 12 and may extend through the roof seam 14. The second roof plate 13 may include apertures 11 around the periphery of the second roof plate 13 in order to connect to the roof 12 by connection devices 17.

The flexible cable 4 may connect to stud plate 15 which may include a connection member 2 which may extend perpendicular and traversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the stud plate 15. The connection member 2 may include an aperture 3 for connection to the flexible cable 4 which may connect to an opposing connection member 2 of the second roof plate 13. An opposing connection member 2 of the stud plate 15 may connect to the flexible cable 4 which may connect to the eye ring member 5 which may connect to the first anchor connection member 8 which may be connected to the first anchor connection member 10 which may be connected to the foundation 9 of the dwelling 103.

FIG. 2 c illustrates a sectional view of the dwelling 103 which may include a roof 12 which may include roof seam 14. The connection member 2 extends through the roof 12 and may extend through the roof seam 14. The second roof plate 13 may include apertures 11 around the periphery of the second roof plate 13 in order to connect to the roof 12 by connection devices 17. The stud plate 15 may serve two functions which may include a first function to transfer excessive force from the roof 12 to the first anchor connection member 8 and may include a second function to transfer excessive force on the wall panel which may be connected to the stud 16 to the first anchor connection member 8.

The flexible cable 4 may connect to stud plate 15 which may include a connection member 2 which may extend perpendicular and traversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the stud plate 15. The stud plate 15 may be attached to a stud 16 of the dwelling 103, and the stud 16 may be a horizontal or vertical stud or may be a roof stud. The connection member 2 may include an aperture 3 for connection to the flexible cable 4 which may connect to an opposing connection member 2 of the stud plate 15. An opposing connection member 2 of the stud plate 15 may connect to the flexible cable 4 which may connect to the eye ring member 5 which may connect to the first anchor connection member 8 which may be used for retro fit and which may be connected to the first anchor connection member 10 which may be connected to the foundation 9 of the dwelling 103.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the stud plate 15 which may be substantially planar and may include an aperture 18 for attachment to the stud 16 by a fastening device such as a bolt, nail or other appropriate fastening device and the connection member 2 which may extend perpendicular to the stud plate 15 and may include an aperture 3 for connection to the flexible cable 4. The stud plate 15 may be placed in a spaced relationship with another stud plate 15 in order to provide additional support.

FIG. 3 a illustrates the stud plate 15 attached to the stud 16 and not being directly connected to the roof 12 in order to provide a linear wall tie down method and apparatus.

FIG. 3 a illustrates that each wall panel has a corresponding stud plate 15 in order to provide support for the entire wall. Fewer or more stud plates 15 may be used.

The flexible cable 4 as illustrated in FIG. 3 a may connect to stud plate 15 which may include a connection member 2 which may extend perpendicular and traversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the stud plate 15. The stud plate 15 may be attached to a stud 16 of the dwelling 103, and the stud 16 may be a horizontal or vertical stud or may be a roof stud. The connection member 2 may include an aperture 3 for connection to the flexible cable 4 which may connect to an opposing connection member 2 of the second roof plate 13. An opposing connection member 2 of the stud plate 15 may connect to the flexible cable 4 which may connect to the eye ring member 5 which may connect to the first anchor connection member 8 which may be connected to the first anchor connection member 10 which may be connected to the foundation 9 of the dwelling 103.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a peak roof plate 21 which may be substantially an inverted V shape in order to cooperate with the peak of the roof 12 of the dwelling 103 and may include a pair of sloping plates which may be planar and the peak roof plate 21 may include apertures 22 which may be positioned around the periphery of the peak plate 21 in order to attach the peak roof plate 21 to the roof 12 of the dwelling 103 by a fastening device 23 such as screws, bolts, nails or other appropriate fasteners.

FIG. 4 a illustrates a perspective view of a peak roof plate 21 which may be substantially an inverted V shape in order to cooperate with the peak of the roof 12 of the dwelling 103 and may include a pair of sloping plates which may be planar and the peak roof plate 21 may include apertures 22 which may be positioned around the periphery of the peak plate 21 in order to attach the peak roof plate 21 to the roof 12 of the dwelling 103 by a fastening device 23 such as screws, bolts, nails or other appropriate fasteners.

FIG. 4 b illustrates a perspective view of a fastening device 23 which may be a nail, screw bolts or other fastening devices.

FIG. 4 c illustrates a sectional view of the dwelling 103 which may include a roof 12. The connection member 2 extends through the roof 12 and may cooperate with the washer member 24 and the nut member 25 and may be connected to a eyelet member 26 which may be connected to an eyelet member 5 which may be connected to flexible cable 4. The peak roof plate 21 may include apertures 22 around the periphery of the peak roof plate 21 in order to connect to the roof 12 by connection device 23.

The flexible cable 4 may connect to stud plate 15 which may include a connection member 2 which may extend perpendicular and traversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the stud plate 15. The stud plate 15 may be attached to a stud 16 of the dwelling 103, and the stud 16 may be a horizontal or vertical stud or may be a roof stud. The connection member 2 may include an aperture 3 for connection to the flexible cable 4. An opposing connection member 2 of the stud plate 15 may connect to the flexible cable 4 which may connect to the eye ring member 5 which may connect to the connection member 10 which may be connected to the foundation 9 of the dwelling 103.

FIG. 5 illustrates a end view of a linear wall tie down plate 27 which may include a connection member 2 which may be substantially perpendicular to the linear wall tiedown plate 27. The linear wall tiedown plate 27 may include apertures which may cooperate with fastening devices such as nails, bolts or other appropriate fastening devices.

FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective view of a linear wall tie down plate 27 which may include a connection member 2 which may be substantially perpendicular to the linear wall tiedown plate 27. The linear wall tiedown plate 27 may include apertures which may cooperate with fastening devices such as nails, bolts or other appropriate fastening devices. FIG. 5 b illustrates the linear wall tiedown plate 27 positioned on the upper surface of a substantially horizontal stud 16 and may extend over a plurality of wall sections. FIG. 5 b additionally illustrates that stud plates 15 may be attached to the same substantially horizontal stud 16 and which may be connected to the flexible cable 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates a corner wall tiedown bracket 28 which may be substantially L-shaped and may include a connection member 2 which may include an aperture 3 for connection to the flexible cable 4.

FIG. 6 a illustrates a perspective view of a corner wall tiedown bracket 28 which may be substantially L-shaped and may include a connection member 2 which may include an aperture 3 for connection to the flexible cable 4.

FIG. 6 b illustrates a perspective view of the dwelling 100 and the corner wall tiedown bracket 28 which may be connected to the dwelling 100. The corner wall tiedown bracket 28 may be connected to the flexible cable 4 which may be connected to the eyelet ring member 5 which may be connected to the first anchor member 8 which may be a integrated anchor system with the foundation 9. Alternatively, the corner wall tiedown bracket 28 may be connected to the flexible cable 4 which may be connected to the anchor member 7 which may be a remote anchor member with respect to the foundation 9.

FIG. 6 c illustrates a cross-sectional view of the dwelling 100 and the corner wall tiedown bracket 28 which may be connected to the dwelling 100 by being attached to the studs 16 (both vertical and horizontal). The corner wall tiedown bracket 28 may be connected to the flexible cable 4 which may be connected to the eyelet ring member 5 . Alternatively, the corner wall tiedown bracket 28 may be connected to the flexible cable 4 which may be connected to the anchor member 7 which may be a remote anchor member with respect to the foundation 9.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. 

1. A device for retaining a roof of the dwelling, comprising; a roof tiedown plate to be positioned on the exterior surface of the roof; a flexible cable to connect to the roof tiedown plate; an anchor member to connect to the flexible cable.
 2. A device for retaining a roof of the dwelling as in claim 1, wherein the roof plate includes a eave roof tiedown plate.
 3. A device for retaining a roof of the dwelling as in claim 1, wherein the roof plate includes a peak roof tiedown plate.
 4. A device for retaining a roof of the dwelling as in claim 1, wherein the roof plate includes a second roof plate adapted to cooperate with a roof seam of the roof.
 5. A device for retaining a roof of the dwelling as in claim 1, wherein the roof plate includes a connection member.
 6. A device for retaining a roof of the dwelling as in claim 1, wherein the flexible cable is connected to a eyelet ring member.
 7. A device for retaining a roof of the dwelling as in claim 1, wherein the device includes a stud plate for attachment to a stud of the dwelling.
 8. A device for retaining a wall of the dwelling, comprising; a stug plate to be positioned on the exterior surface of a stud of the wall; a flexible cable to connect to the stud plate; an anchor member to connect to the flexible cable. 